'Appalachia in the Bluegrass' concert series opens with storytelling, singing duo Sparky and Rhonda Rucker

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 31, 2022) —​ The popular "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concert series is back on campus and ready for in-person audiences on the University of Kentucky's campus this fall. The series showcasing the music of Appalachia will open Friday, Sept. 2 with a performance by Sparky and Rhonda Rucker. 

Concerts presented as part of “Appalachia in the Bluegrass” are free and open to the public and begin weekly at noon on Fridays, in the Niles Gallery of the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, located at UK's Lucille C. Little Fine Arts Library. 

An annual series, “Appalachia in the Bluegrass,” celebrates the old-time roots of American folk music, while simultaneously representing a variety of different musical expressions. There will be 12 different performances by noted soloists, duos and groups from Appalachia. The "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" Concert Series, is sponsored by the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music and the UK College of Fine Arts. 

This year's series artists and their performance dates are: 

• Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, storytelling and singing duo, Sept. 2; 

• Nero’s Fiddle, formed in 2020, a unique blend of Appalachian fiddle tunes, traditional gospel, and a smattering of this and that, Sept. 9; 

• acclaimed musician and songwriter, Tim Ericksen, Sept. 16;  

• Rose and Vine, duo of Andy Duckworth and Stephanie Jeter, Sept. 23; 

• Tall, Dark and Handsome, Lexington trio known for its jazz and regional music, Sept. 30; 

• Appalachian Flatfooting Workshop with Carla Gover, dancer, Oct. 7; 

• CornMaiz, Kentucky string band, Oct. 14; 

• Andrew Finn Magill, fiddler with a Brazilian twist, Oct. 21; 

• master singer, musician and storyteller, Robert Tincher, Oct. 28; 

• Larah Helayne, a 20-something, queer, Appalachian musician, Nov. 4; 

• Liza DiSavino and A.J. Bodnar, folk dance duo originally from the Catskills, New York, Nov. 11; and

• Sam Gleaves and The Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble, Nov. 18.

The Niles Center is a collaborative research and performance center maintained by the UK College of Fine Arts, UK School of Music and UK Libraries. 

For more information on the concert series, contact Niles Center Director Revell Carr at revell.carr@uky.edu or visit the website at https://finearts.uky.edu/music/john-jacob-niles-gallery-and-center-american-music.